RAVENSWOOD, W. Va. - A Ravenswood convenience store clerk could honestly tell her bosses she had a "crappy" evening after a difficult customer allegedly decided to deface the store’s bathroom using his own feces.

The complaint states the Holcomb repeatedly called the clerk “Honey” and kept asking her if he could use the store’s bathroom. The clerk refused to allow Holcomb to use the restroom, as it was marked for employees only. However Holcomb allegedly ignored the denial and went into the bathroom anyway. After using the restroom, Holcomb left the store.

After Holcomb left, the clerk said she began to smell a “terrible odor” coming from the bathroom. When she went to check the bathroom, she discovered feces smeared all over the walls, floor, doorknob, light switch and toilet itself. The clerk reported that there was toilet paper available in the restroom. She did not report whether or not Holcomb had flushed prior to leaving.

The clerk then called the police to inform them of the situation, and they responded to the scene. After the police began a search for Holcomb, the clerk reportedly had to spend a considerable time cleaning and sanitizing the entire bathroom.

Based on the condition of the scene and the information provided, Fox obtained a warrant for Holcomb’s arrest on one misdemeanor count of destruction of property. Holcomb was arrested on the warrant and arraigned.

According to Reynolds, Holcomb had recently received a 90-day suspended jail sentence for an unrelated matter.

Teenage party causes $45,000 in damage

EAST BRIDGEWATER, Mass. - Daniel and Jill Abbett returned home from a dream vacation in Paris to a nightmare in their Elm Street home.

The couple found blood and urine smeared on the floors and walls, basketball-sized holes in the walls, an antique sofa had been set on fire, marble counter tops were cracked, flour was stuffed down the toilets, doors were pulled down and windows were smashed.

And that was just a fraction of the damage. With jewelry, electronics, golf clubs and other goods stolen from the home, police estimate damages at a minimum of $45,000.

“They pulled the chandeliers and ceiling fans and were hanging from the ceiling,” Jill Abbett said.

Four East Bridgewater High School students are facing charges, and more could wind up under arrest in what police say was a wild, drunken, teenage party drawing more than 50 people at the house.

“I couldn’t believe what they did to this house,” said police Sgt. Steve Brown, one of the first officers to view the house. “I have been a police officer for 28 years, and I’ve never seen anything like this.”

Man jailed for faking autism

CANTON, Ohio - The young man had a note in his hand when he showed up at Apostolic Lighthouse Tabernacle one Sunday in December. He said he was Gabriel Isaiah Thomas, but had no ID and claimed he didn’t know where he was from.

“Here is my son,” the note read, according to court papers. “If you are reading this then he is truly alone. ... He is severely autistic. Good-bye to all that are left behind.”

The church contacted Perry Township police, who called in the Stark County Board of Developmental Disabilities, who found the young man a place to live.

But over the next few days, as investigators pieced together the fragments of the man’s story, Stark County DD and sheriff’s deputies discovered the truth: It was a scam.

Thomas is really Bradley D. Birdsong. He’s not autistic or disabled. And on Monday Stark County Common Pleas Judge Frank Forchione sentenced him to a year in prison — the maximum — for the con.

Birdsong, who pleaded guilty last month to felony theft and misdemeanor obstructing official business, also has to pay the county $4,000 for the services he used.

After his arrival at the church on Dec. 13, Stark County DD arranged for a psychological evaluation and a caseworker, as well as food, clothing and shelter for Birdsong, Scott said.

Birdsong spoke with a child-like voice. He claimed he couldn’t read or write. He wore a diaper and had to be bathed, according to a summary of the investigation.

But Birdsong’s story also had holes and inconsistencies, the prosecutor said.

When a sheriff’s deputy finally confronted Birdsong about his identity on Dec. 21, his demeanor changed to that of a normal-functioning adult, according to the summary. Giving another false name, he said he had jumped from big city to big city, pulling cons and scams. According to the summary, Birdsong said it was the first time he had pretended to be developmentally disabled.

Golf course operator wants to serve drinks on the green

DUXBURY, Mass. - Golfers know what the 19th hole is; the managers of North Hill Golf Course in Duxbury are interested in creating the 5 1/2th hole.

Representatives of Johnson Golf, which manages the course and has a license to serve liquor in the clubhouse, want permission to have a drinks cart serving alcoholic beverages out on the course during some events.

Steve Follansbee, attorney for Johnson Golf, said the cart would only be used for league matches and “outings,” which he defined as charitable events.

But some selectman voiced their concerns, including that the town, which owns the course, does not have immunity from lawsuits if something happens due to drinking on the course.

Others pointed out that the town received no objection to the idea from the Police Department.

“I could use a cold beer sometimes on the course,” said Selectman Chris Donato, who questioned how much drinking anyone could do on a nine-hole golf course.

Follansbee said a non-alcoholic beverages cart was tried without success. The board voted to keep the public hearing open and make a decision at a later date.

GateHouse News Service

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